Benefit will help brothers with medical woes

When Havreites need help, the community comes together for them, which is why Tammy Murray organized a free-will donation spaghetti dinner this Saturday at 6 p. m. at the Eagles Club to help alleviate the weight of recent medical bills on her cousin, and fellow Havre native, Lori Casey.

Lori and her husband Tim, who live in Helena now, have been hit on two fronts by medical/financial woes.

Their 12-year-old son Brennan recently had an emergency appendectomy, which he was not recovering from as expected. Doctors discovered that his appendicitis had led to a liver infection that required him be flown immediately to Spokane.

"We thought he was good, but he was still sick and losing weight, " Lori Casey said. "The doctors found an abscess in his liver the size of a golf ball. "

This crisis came while their oldest son, Keegan, has been dealing with the effects of an undetected case of strep throat, which turned into a long-term case of vasculitis HSP, an immune system disease.

"Hopefully it will just work itself out, " Casey said, "but it might take up to two years. "

Aside from donations for dinner, there will be live and silent auctions to raise money for the family.

"It's so overwhelming, " Casey said. "You can't even bring into words how grateful we are. Small communities that are willing to help just amaze me.

"I just appreciate everything everyone's doing. "